A small group under God's providence (Luke 12:32)
Glory be to God
A small group under God's providence
"Fear not, little flock: for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom" Luke 12:32
Our Lord Jesus Christ in His oration concerning His people He uses the word little. We could see this in all these portions of Matthew 10:42, 18:6,10,14, 25:40,45. The counsel of Jesus referring less than the least, having understood and experienced in the life of Apostle Paul says am the least of the apostles (1Corinthians 15:9). And he also says less than the least of all saints (Ephesians 3:8). Even so if we become little only then we can be greatest (Luke 9:48). He that is least in the kingdom of God is greater than John the Baptist (Luke 7:28). Not only that, if we become young ass then in this world life's journey our Lord Jesus come as a king by sitting upon us (John 12:14-15).
It is understood if we say little flock then there is large flock as well. When we learn the word of God, our God pleases in little flock than in large flock. In the wilderness journey of Israelites, unto the wilderness of Paran at Kadesh, all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron but as a very little group Joshua and Caleb spake unto the large company saying, “if the Lord delight in us, then He will give that land to us”(Numbers 14:1-9). As a little group they have wholly followed the Lord, when that land was given to them our Lord says for that large company shall not enter the land (Numbers 32:11-12). Though they lived spiritually for they all eat the same spiritual meat and drink the same spiritual drink from that spiritual Rock that followed them for that Rock was Christ yet God was not well pleased in that large company therefore they were overthrown in the wilderness (1Corinthians 10:2-6).
Since this is for our ensamples we should be included in that little group and please our God. Let us not be among many who go to the way of destruction instead be in those few who find the way unto life (Matthew 7:13-14). Be not as many tried yet failed to enter into the strait gate but be ye among the few who fight the good fight and entered (Luke13:24). Let us not be many who are called but be seen among few who are chosen ( Matthew 22:14). Not as queens, concubines and virgins without number but change as the dove of Jesus, the undefiled bride but one (Song of songs 6:8-9). If then our God will be pleased in us and give us His kingdom.
When we consider little flock, we need to re - think that it is mentioned about the flock which belongs to particular group. Jesus came into this world as a good Shepherd to give His life for the sheep (John 10:11,15). To redeem the soul of a man who is precious than the whole world (Matthew 16:26) Jesus as a ransom gave His life (Matthew 20:28). Thereby bringing one group of people as His sheep of one fold and one shepherd (John 10:16), therefore these flock are those who are redeemed by the blood of Jesus (1Peter 1: 18-19). Jesus came that His sheep might have life and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). In order to fulfill this purpose Jesus walking in front of them and making the sheep to hear His voice which belongs to His group. They hear the voice of Jesus alone and follow Him, for they know not the voice of the strangers they flee from the stranger and follow Jesus alone (John10:3-5). So that Jesus give unto them eternal life for they shall never perish (John 10: 26-28). But we are not of them who draw back unto perdition, but of them that believe and follow Jesus to the saving of the soul in such group of sheep our God shall have pleasure (Hebrews 10: 38-39). It is necessary for us to search ourselves and find whether we belong to this group of sheep.
The peculiarity of this little flock is that our God please in them. Concerning Jesus it is prophesied mine elect, in whom my soul delighteth (Isaiah 42:1), we read this prophecy is fulfilled in Jesus (Matthew 12: 17-21). When we consider Jesus who lived for that after He was baptized, went up out of the water He received the testimony our God in whom is well pleased (Matthew 3:16-17). Not only that, He was also witnessed He did always those things which please God (John 8:29). When Jesus is glorified, which is the final experience in the christian life our God says again He is well pleased in Jesus (Matthew 17:5). Even we too at baptism begin a pleasing christian life, as Jesus we must do always things which please God ( John 8:29). Not only that we must present our bodies a living, holy, acceptable sacrifice unto God, which is the reasonable service (Romans 12:1). In addition, we must not forget in our life to do good and to communicate for with such sacrifices also God is well pleased (Hebrews 13:16). Furthermore, for the kingdom of God is not meat and drink: but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost therefore he that have such experience of the kingdom of God serveth Christ is acceptable to God and approved of men (Romans 14: 17-18). As such in our life if we serve God acceptably with reverance and godly fear then our God will be pleased in us and give us the kingdom which cannot be moved (Hebrews 12: 28).
It is necessary for us to think more in getting the favour of God thereby receiving the kingdom of God. Jesus says it is not he that saith Lord, Lord shall enter into the kingdom but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven ( Matthew 7: 21). Therefore we being for the kingdom of God not conforming to this world but be ye transformed by renewing of our mind and proving that which is good, acceptable and perfect will of God (Romans 12: 2). As we read in these verses in the epistle of Paul to Ephesians 1:5-9 according to the good pleasure of His will and the mystery of His will according to His good pleasure. From this we can understand a life according to the will of God is the life pleasing God. Therefore, please God as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart (Ephesians 6:6), because Jesus also do things always pleasing God (John 8:29). When we say so we could see that is the will of God which sent Him and to finish His work (John 4:34). As Jesus who came into this world to do the will of God in His body (Hebrews 10:5-7), let us do the will of God so that we might receive the promise (Hebrews 10:36).
We too ought to become an heirs to the kingdom which God hath promised to them that love Him (James 2:5). In order that we to love God must receive His commandments and keep them ( John 14:21). As such those who live by keeping the commandments of God are pleasing God (1John 3:22). In short, those who love God are those who keep the word of God which is as the measuring scale (John 14:21), doing the will of God the Father from the heart and lived thereby pleasing God so that it might happen for us to enter into the kingdom of the Father. Let it be possible for us with the help of our Lord God.
